Ådalens industrimuseum

About the museum

Ådalens industrimuseum is located on the island of Sandslån at the mouth of the Ångermanälven river, where one of the world’s largest timber sorting operations once stood. Logs were floated down the river, sorted here and towed on to sawmills and pulp mills along the coast. The work was seasonal, and the sorters lived in workers’ barracks on the island.

The museum builds on the older Flottningsmuseet. The economic association Ådalens Industrimuseum was formed in 2021 and bought the Kejsarkasernen the same year, a two-storey brick building that has largely survived in the form it had during the heyday of sorting. The association works closely with Sandslån village association and Kramfors Municipality, and the project has been partly funded by the Swedish National Heritage Board and Region Västernorrland.

The exhibitions tell the story of work in the forest, of log drifting along the Ångermanälven and its tributaries, and of sorting on Sandslån. The museum also aims to portray how the Ådalen industrial landscape developed and the fierce social conflicts that made the district known across Europe. In time, visitors are to be guided on to some twenty sites around Ådalen, for example old sawmill environments and quays.

Highlights

• Model of the Ångermanälven river with viewing boxes, including on children’s work in the forest and during log drifting
• Authentic dormitory from the timber sorting era on the upper floor of the Kejsarkasernen
• Large model of the timber sorting at Sandslån in a former workshop by the quay
• Film room and library on the industrial history of Ådalen
• Guided walk on the island to the old sorting site

Permanent exhibitions

• Skogsarbete, flottning och sortering – Model of the Ångermanälven river with viewing boxes, a film room, a library and an authentic dormitory from the timber sorting era in the Kejsarkasernen.
• Modellen över timmersorteringen på Sandslån – Large model of the sorting works in a former workshop by the quay.

Founded

2021

Operated by

Ekonomiska föreningen Ådalens Industrimuseum

Admission & discounts

Members of the association enter free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Kejsarkasernen is a two-storey brick building. A ramp leads to the ground floor, but there is neither a lift nor a ramp to the upper floor, only stairs. The association wants to make the whole building accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Viewing boxes aimed at children and a children’s trail are under development; children’s performances are held in the summer.

Getting there & parking

By boat, you can moor at the guest harbor of Båtklubben Flottaren.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Museum shop at reception. Refreshments and toilets are available opposite at Sandslåns Kök & Bar; Röken i Ådalen, next to the sorting model, also serves food.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Kejsarkasernen can be rented for events; the museum also arranges film screenings, lectures and concerts.

Plan your visit